Appleton: AstenJohnson union workers go on strike

2021-12-25 06:10:40 By : Mr. Kevin Guo

APPLETON - Employees at AstenJohnson went on strike Friday to demand a fair contract, according to the union representing the employees. 

Eighty-nine machinists are participating in the strike, according to the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers union, and the employees are "seeking reasonable healthcare expenses and cost sharing." 

Local 1855 members rejected the company's contract proposals on Sept. 30 and Oct. 14, according to IAM. 

"Despite mediator assistance, the company refused to budge off its concessionary proposals," IAM said in a news release. 

AstenJohnson, located on West College Avenue, produces specialty fabric for the paper industry.  

“Because of the pandemic, affordable healthcare is now more critical than ever,” IAM District 10 directing business representative Alex Hoekstra said in a news release. “These increases in cost put our members, their families and public health as a whole at risk. I stand shoulder to shoulder with the skilled workers at AstenJohnson in their fight and I call on management to come back to the table and negotiate a fair contract.” 

IAM is one of the largest industrial trade unions in North America and represents nearly 600,000 active and retired members in the manufacturing, aerospace, defense, airlines, transportation, shipbuilding, woodworking and health care industries. 

OTHER NEWS: These northeastern Wisconsin companies hiring right now

OTHER NEWS: The StoneYard to close Darboy location

Contact Natalie Brophy at (715) 216-5452 or nbrophy@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @brophy_natalie.